In Bacolod, key street is car-free on Sundays

ALL TO OURSELVES Residents of Bacolod City enjoy their first car-free Sunday on Oct. 20 along Lacson Street. Mask-wearing dancers join the crowd as the city celebrates MassKara Festival, which will culminate on Oct. 27. —Bacolod City Public Information Office

BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines — The city council here has approved an ordinance for car-free Sundays along a major street to provide a safe and enjoyable space for pedestrians, cyclists, wellness enthusiasts and pets.

The ordinance, approved last Wednesday, restricts vehicular traffic on Lacson Street, from BS Aquino Drive to South Capitol, from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Sundays.

READ: Sunday mass movement: Ayala Avenue’s car-free miracle

The council said the measure recognized the need to promote healthier lifestyles and foster community well-being through increased physical activity and social interaction by encouraging “walking and biking, which are environmentally friendly and help reduce the city’s carbon footprint.”

“Reducing vehicular traffic can significantly lower air pollution levels, thereby improving air quality and contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment,” it said.

The ordinance requires cyclists to maintain a safe and controlled speed, not exceeding 15 kilometers per hour, to ensure the safety of all road users and to reduce speed when approaching areas with a high concentration of pedestrians or pets.

Pedestrians, the measure stressed, “always have the right of way.”

Cyclists are also encouraged to wear helmets and other appropriate protective gear.

Pets, for their part, must be kept on a leash no longer than 5 feet to prevent them from straying into the path of cyclists or other pedestrians; must be under control at all times to avoid accidents; and must be cleaned up after by their owners “to maintain a clean and pleasant environment for all.”

Devices intended to assist individuals with mobility impairments or medical conditions, including wheelchairs (manual or electric), mobility scooters, and other essential assistive equipment, are allowed on car-free roads to ensure accessibility for all participants.

Skateboards and rollerblades are permitted in a designated section of South Capitol Road. However, vehicles powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor are prohibited.

To enhance participation in health and wellness activities, implementing agencies were directed to provide a dedicated space for Zumba, tai chi and the like.